By Mark Stutz
As part of the most significant federal investment in rural electric cooperatives since 1936, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has been selected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program, which is designed to help rural cooperatives implement reliable and affordable clean energy transitions. Tri-State led engagement on the development of the program concept and its inclusion in the Inflation Reduction Act, and will leverage the program to benefit its members and rural communities across four states.
Collectively, the 16 selections announced – funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – will leverage private investments of more than $29 billion to build more than 10 gigawatts of clean energy for rural communities across the country. The selected companies announced today will reduce and avoid at least 43.7 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to removing more than 10 million cars off the road every year.
Tri-State’s New ERA application proposes to build or purchase 1,480 megawatts (MW) of solar, wind, and battery storage in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming, and support the retirement 1,100 MW of coal-fired generation in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, without negatively impacting reliability.
Through this portfolio, Tri-State would:
- Reduce the revenue required from members through rates by $422 million over 20 years.
- Eliminate nearly 5.8 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
- Work across our members’ service territories and with project communities to identify and deliver additional community benefits, including for farmers and ranchers.
USDA’s full announcement is available here.
A press release from the Sierra Club praised the Tri-State application.
“This critical USDA investment will help us achieve the affordable, reliable clean energy future that we Coloradans deserve,” said Laurie Williams, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign and Colorado resident. “This investment, and the others announced today across the country, reflect the importance of the relationship between rural America and the clean energy economy. Tri-State’s pursuit of these funds will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions, protecting people and the planet all at once.”
Read the full Sierra Club release here.
Mark Stutz is Public Relations Specialist with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
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